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Black Sheep Picks - Eco Links |
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Black Sheep Inn
is "ECO-Certified" as an EcoTourism Operation by
the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and the Ecuadorian Association of
Ecotourism (ASEC) in 2003. We were happy to participate in this program for Certification. After carefully reviewing worldwide ECO standards, ASEC has certified hotels and agencies in Ecuador that have actualized Recycling -Waste Management, Conservation, Community Education and Safety Standards. |
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| Black Sheep Inn | ||
| Highlights of the Area | ||
| Day Hikes & Activities | ||
| Links & Recommendations |
Photo by Tim Tadder |
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For
Reservations: Black Sheep Inn |
As a traveler you should be aware that many hotels and agencies call themselves "ECO". |
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We are also promoting ECO Tourism
through these LINKS.
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Links to other Black Sheep on this
planet.
Link Exchange |
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( ►) Indicates that providers are Eco-Certified by the Ministry of Tourism and ASEC. ► Black Sheep Inn has developed an ECO Definition that we believe honestly portrays sustainable tourism and ecological practices. By creating this definition and standard we hope to help better our current projects and encourage other Ecuadorian hotels and businesses to make genuine efforts at sustainability. Also see our Eco-Awareness Page. We recognize the following businesses as making significant steps towards ecological practices and awareness. It may be through community involvement, conscientious tourism, permaculture, or conservation efforts. |
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Resources for Eco-Tourism in South America and Ecuador |
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Planeta.com The goal behind this website is to create a much-needed
public space for the development of conscientious tourism that benefits
travelers and locals alike. This award winning site serves as an information
clearinghouse and information catalyst. They invite experts to contribute
articles and participate in virtual forums. Original features and links feature
the work of communities and individuals who are pursuing holistic development
strategies, particularly ecotourism. Planeta sponsors numerous online
discussion groups.
Black Sheep Inn co-authored "Seven Recommendations for Strengthening Ecotourism in Ecuador." Since December 2002 we have been working with "Grupo Internet en Favor del Ecoturismo Ecuatoriano" (GIFEE), a grassroots cyber-collective. Together we have created seven recommendations for the Ecuadorian Government to take action in realizing Ecuador’s potential as an international ecotourism leader. Check out the letter that was sent to a number of government officials and is posted on both Planeta.com www.planeta.com/ecotravel/south/ecuador/7 and EcoClub.com - International Ecotourism Club http://ecoclub.com/gifee.html . South American Explorers Club (SAEC), one of the best sources of information on Ecuador. The Club is a non profit organization with Clubhouses in Quito, Ecuador, Lima and Cuzco, Peru. Head office is located in Ithaca, New York. Membership fees are used to fund extensive resources for travelers, and additional projects of social and cultural merit in South America. www.saexplorers.org EcoTurismo Latino aims to be a bridge between enterprises who offer any alternative tourism service or product, and domestic or international travelers; achieving an exchange of updated information, alternative tourism services and products, and human solidarity. www.ecoturismolatino.com |
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Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. |
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Eco-Hotels in Ecuador |
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► Indicates that providers are Eco-Certified by the Ministry of Tourism and ASEC. ► Black Sheep Inn, High Sierra, Chugchilan, Cotopaxi. "Top 10 EcoLodge in the World" - Outside Magazine. Spectacular scenery, world class day hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, sauna, zipline cable swing, permaculture tours, hiking maps and more. Black Sheep Inn offers affordable lodging in the heart of the rural Ecuadorian Andes. www.blacksheepinn.com ► Yachana Lodge, Jungle/Amazon. Yachana Lodge won Condé Nast Traveler's Ecotourism Award 2004 ! Yachana's focus is preservation of the Ecuadorian rain forest and its people through community participation in health, education and sustainable development. Yachana Lodge supports FUNEDESIN, The Foundation for Integrated Education and Development. www.yachana.com or www.funedesin.org ► Rio Muchacho, Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi Province on the Ecuadorian coast. An organic farm where visitors participate in various projects. 10% of all tour fees support the environmental school in Rio Muchacho. Good Permaculture demonstrations. www.riomuchacho.com Rio Muchacho is now For Sale! ► Bellavista, Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo. A Private Reserve in the Cloud Forest associated with Fundacion Siempre Bosque (Forever Forest Foundation). Bellavista manages over 600 hectares (1500 acres) of reserve land. Beautiful trails and fantastic birding. www.bellavistacloudforest.com ► Maquipucuna, Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo. Just 50 miles northwest of Quito exists the unique opportunity of experiencing exotic species of birds, moths and butterflies, and flowers in bloom such as orchids and bromeliads. The Ecotourism Centre is a small but modern lodge built in accordance with its natural surroundings. The open-air design allows intimate contact with nature and the soothing sounds of the rushing river. www.maqui.org ► Alandaluz, A Passionate Embrace with Life, Puerto Rico, Manabi Province on the Ecuadorian coast. The pioneers of eco-tourism in Ecuador! A great success story in ecological and community practices. We were inspired by Alandaluz and many of their ideas before building the Black Sheep Inn. www.alandaluzhosteria.com ► Tierra del Volcán, Machachi, Cotopaxi National Park. Tierra del Volcán has three haciendas in the foothills surrounding Cotopaxi, each with its own ecosystem and distinctive climate. A broad range of activities are available: Horseback riding, mountain biking, trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, rappelling, bird watching, camping, cultural experiences and more. www.volcanoland.com ►
Cerro Blanco
Dry coastal forest, near Guayaquil. The Cerro Blanco nature reserve is a
privately owned and operated, 3500 hectare park, encompassing a dry coastal
forest. The park is administered by Fundación Pro-Bosque, a non-profit
organization, supported by La Cemento Nacional, the company which donated most
of the land of the reserve.
http://www.bosquecerroblanco.com/ E-mail contact:
vonhorst@ecua.net.ec ► Puerto Hondo at km 17 on the Guayaquil-Salinas highway. A community effort for the conservation of the remaining mangroves in the area has formed this Ecological Club which, among its projects offers eco-tourism opportunities. E-mail contact: vonhorst@ecua.net.ec OR www.thebestofecuador.com/phondo.htm OR www.uct.edu.ec/puertohondo. ► Yunguilla, Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo. Yunguilla is a community located in the Andes, about two hours away from the capital of Quito. 45 families have formed an association to produce some products such as marmalades, cheese, organic products, recycling paper, and Ecotourism. Has a good volunteer program. www.tropiceco.com/journeys/special/yunguilla-mindo-cloudforest-tour.html. ►
Kapawi,
Jungle/Amazon. Kapawi is the largest community-based project ever
developed in Ecuador. Kapawi was created to provide high service in one of
the most remote and pristine areas of southeastern Ecuador, away from oil
exploitation and other destructive practices.
www.kapawi.com Bosque Nublado Santa Lucia, Chocó Bioregion/Cloud Forest, near Mindo. Santa Lucia has also won several awards in 2004 and has been short listed for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in the Category of Conservation. GO ECUADOR!! The community-owned conservation organization manages over 1600 acres of mountain cloud forest in northwestern Ecuador. This is an area of extreme biodiversity, with over 320 bird species, including the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Visitors to the Ecolodge enjoy comfortable accommodations with panoramic vistas of the surrounding cloud forests, as well as birding, hikes to mountain waterfalls, and other activities. Volunteers are also welcome to aid in reforesting and other conservation projects. www.santaluciaecuador.com Golondrinas, Northern Esmeraldas Province. Golondrinas Foundation is one of the most successful grassroots conservation projects in Ecuador because it incorporates the participation of local farmers. The project's goal is to conserve a unique forest ecosystem while improving the standard of living for the people who reside in the region. Golondrinas offers treks from the high paramo grasslands down to the coast, promotes Permaculture and accepts volunteers. Eliza, one of the owners, won the Rolex Award. www.ecuadorexplorer.com/golondrinas El Monte, Sustainable Lodge, Mindo. The goal of El Monte is to help preserve and protect the natural beauty of Mindo, one of the most biologically diverse and endangered Cloud Forests in the world. Stay in beautiful two-story handmade A-frame cabins. www.ecuadorcloudforest.com Safari Tours, Quito. Calama y Juan Leon Mera. Jean Brown, one of the owners, is omniscient when it comes to Ecuador. Safari will customize any itinerary to suit your needs. Jean Brown has also participated in a number of Permaculture Design Courses. www.safari.com.ec |
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Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. |
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Vegetarian, Organic and Quality Food Service in Ecuador |
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Cafe Hood, Baños. 16 de Diciembre y Martinez. Great inexpensive veggie food and meeting place. Check out the Casa Hood Cultural Center too. They now have a restaurant in Quito on Foch y Amazonas! Magic Bean Coffee House and Hostel, Quito. Foch y Juan Leon Mera. Great meeting place, strong coffee, huge juice bar. Coffee to go for gringos on the run! www.magicbeanquito.com Try several Tandori Indian food places. El Arabe on Reina Victoria is also very good.
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Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. |
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Books, Tour Agents, Hotels and Activities in Ecuador |
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Overland Latin America - (OLA) offers a new standard of adventure tour in
Ecuador, specializes in grass routes adventure travel. We offer tailor made off
the beaten track adventures in Ecuador and beyond. Contact Joe and he will cater
to any itinerary you desire! UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE CLOSING OPERATIONS IN
ECUADOR.
www.ola-adventures.com
Best Galapagos Cruises - A guide to the greatest vacations in one of the
most beautiful countries in the world, find out information about Ecuador:
history, tours, hotels, Galapagos islands cruises, car rental and more...
www.ecuadortravelsite.com
EcuadorExplorer.com A complete on line guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos. A great way to book in advance. www.ecuadorexplorer.com
Hosteria San Mateo - Lasso on Pan American Highway, a hotel with a hacienda feeling. Great steaks, comfortable rooms, very friendly. www.hosteriasanmateo.com Casa Sol, Quito, Calama 127 y 6 de Diciembre. With its wide balconies, gardens, gorgeous windows and yard, La Casa Sol - Bed and Breakfast offers the international traveler cozy lodgings in a typical Andean style hostel in the most exciting area in Quito. www.lacasasol.com Cafe Cultura, Quito, Robles 513 y Reina Victoria. Cafe Cultura is a delightful mix of English tradition and contemporary trend. Beautiful accommodations in a great location in Quito's new town. www.cafecultura.com Casa Helbling, Quito, Veintimilla 531 y 6 de Diciembre. Clean, comfortable, homey and safe Hostel in Quito's new town. Centrally located. www.casahelbling.de Las Palmeras Inn, Quichinche, near Otavalo. Comfortable and quiet accommodations. Great Base for visiting the Otavalo Market and exploring the north of Ecuador. Excellent Managers! Lindsay and Matt worked here at the Black Sheep Inn for six months before taking the job at Las Palmeras. www.laspalmerasinn.com Cabanas Rio Yambala, Vilcabamba, Southern Ecuador. www.vilcabamba.cwc.net Academia Kolumbus In Quito. They offer Spanish courses as one-on-one classes or in mini-groups. In addition, they organize internships in all subject areas. Language courses begin weekly on every Monday of the year for all standards: from those aimed at the beginner to those aimed at the professional translator. The easy-to-understand Spanish of the Ecuadorians facilitates the learning process and enables students to learn Spanish as quickly as is possible. www.academia-kolumbus.com Trekking in Ecuador, Guidebook. The most up-to-date trekking guide to one of the world's most bio-diverse nations. Includes a thorough introduction to Ecuador and its people. No-nonsense information on what to expect, preparations, and safety. Twenty-nine detailed trek descriptions, with photos, topographic maps, and elevation profiles. www.trekkinginecuador.com Hacienda Hakuna Matata, Archidona near Tena, Prov. Napo. Located in the foothills between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Basin on a crystal clear river. www.hakunamat.com
Enduro Adventure Motorcycle Tours, Take to the back roads of Ecuador on large off-road motorcycles. Thomas has great equipment and knows how to keep you on rural back roads throughout all of Ecuador. www.enduroecuador.com |
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Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. |
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Eco-Links Outside of Ecuador |
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EcoIQ Magazine Online journal dedicated to the creation of a future that works, smart choices aligning economics and ecology. www.ecoiq.com Eco Tropical Resorts is an Ecotourism directory of Eco Resorts and Eco Lodges in the Tropics. Find the Eco Lodge or Eco Resort of your dreams on this ecotourism hotel lodging directory. www.eco-tropicalresorts.com
ethicalescape
has been created for those who wish to travel lightly & to encourage others to
do so. The site includes country guides, travel advice, health advice & details
of ethical, ecologically sound holidays & eco-friendly holiday accommodation.
www.
Black Sheep Inn is proud to be listed in Green Volunteers, the World Guide and Information Network to Voluntary Work in Nature Conservation. www.greenvolunteers.org Transitions Abroad was created as the antidote to tourism, a magazine with the specific goal of providing information that would enable travelers to actually meet the people of other countries, to learn about their culture, to speak their language, and to "transition" to a new level of understanding and appreciation for our fascinating world. Great resources for work, study, travel or living abroad. Fantastic Magazine www.transitionsabroad.com RUES Hotel Selection EcoFriendly Hotels Worldwide. RHS Mission pursues the triangular system of: Conservation - Education - Sustainable Development (CESD) within the Hospitality and Tourism Industry Worldwide. La Mision de RHS persigue el sistema triangular de: Conservacion - Educacion - Desarrollo Sostenible (CESD) dentro de la Industria Hotelera y de Turismo en el mundo. www.ecofriendlyhotelsrhs.com
Ecotravel.com provides this ecotourism-specific information for
each operator and lodge. Their EcoDirectory is a searchable directory of
tour operators, lodges, private guides, non-profit organizations, and
ancillary travel services to help you plan your next eco-trip. Search by
activity and destination, then view an organization's EcoDirectory listing
which includes the types of trips offered, its eco-philosophy, and its
involvement with the local communities in which it operates.
www.ecotravel.com
P.L.A.N.E.T. Organic Golden Bay, New Zealand, offers nine-month courses in holistic learning, self-reliance and sustainability. Gain skills & tools for environmental, social and economic change. Planet Organic teaches organic growing, earth stewardship, permaculture design (including two advanced courses), communication, facilitation, community planning and action, alternative economic systems, and eco-village design. www.planetorganic.org.nz Southern Cross Permaculture Institute Australia, Rick and Naomi Coleman came to Black Sheep Inn in 1998 to teach a Permaculture Design Course to 20 of our neighbor community farmers. www.southerncrosspermaculture.com.au Eco-Tour.org German homepage for ecological tourism. www.eco-tour.org Eco Tour Victoria, Canada This site lists all the Ecotour Specialists that operate in and around Victoria BC and further afield on Vancouver Island. www.ecotoursvictoria.com
ECOCLUB.com - International Ecotourism
Club based out of Greece has three different and informative websites. EcoClub is proud to be "Supporting
Member" of The International Ecotourism Society, "Affiliate
Member" of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Member of Arktouros (Bear
Protection Society of Greece), Member of Greek Society for the Protection of
Birds, and Founders of the Ecotourism Ring. |
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10% discount at the Black Sheep Inn for ECO CLUB Members, JOIN TODAY! |
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Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. |
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Fabulous Friends |
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Hitsch Huus, Fanas, Switzerland. Once our managers here at the Black Sheep Inn, Juerg and Christine are now the proud owners of their own Bed & Breakfast in Switzerland. www.hitschhuus.ch
eXito Latin America Travel Specialists, 1212 Broadway Ste. 910, Oakland, CA 94612, is a full-service travel agency specializing in airfares, tours and independent travel throughout Mexico, Central America and South America. For Discount Airfares from the USA to Quito, use our Fare-finder. It is constantly updated and allows you to search our database of 1000's of airline ticket prices. www.exitotravel.com Pentre Bach Holiday Cottages, Wales, U.K. Nick and Margaret Smyth own and operate award winning self catering cottages. "Ever since we came here over 20 years ago, we have tried to practice what we now know is called 'PERMACULTURE'." www.pentrebach.com
Travel Rants http://www.travel-rants.com/forum/ |
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Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of additional sites to include. |
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click here for Links to the Black Sheep of the World |
| These are links to fellow Black Sheep around the world. No, they are not franchises, just other black sheep offering their products and services. |
| Many thanks,
Andres Hammerman & Michelle Kirby |
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